PRESS RELEASE

USAID supports to strengthen quality of public health education

Dhaka, November 19, 2012:

In a bid to increase access of rural, ethnic minorities, poor and participants who are residing in hard to reach areas as well as to improve the quality of public health education in Bangladesh, James P. Grant School of Public Health offers 40 scholarships this year with support from USAID Bangladesh. In this connection, a project titled "Developing a New Generation of Public Health Experts in Bangladesh" was launched at James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University on November 19, 2012. Mr. Richard Greene, USAID Bangladesh Mission Director and Professor Ainun Nishat, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, also spoke on the occasion as Special Guests.

Dr. Timothy Grant Evans, Dean, JPGSPH, BRAC University in his welcome address said, “Apart from scholarships for under-represented groups, the project would also create an opportunity for the faculty development of the School. The number and diversity of internship opportunities would also be increased with the establishment of an internship program that links host institutions with students completing their MPH”.

Introducing the partnership with JPGSPH, Dr. Felicia R Wilson, Acting Deputy Director, and Senior Education Officer, OPHNE/USAID Bangladesh said that the quality of public health education will be strengthened by creating a Working Group on Public Health Education, offering faculty development courses; promoting careers in academic public health amongst women; and offering research fellowships to public health faculty.

Professor Ainun Nishat, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, said that JPGSPH has been playing a vital role to provide international standard education in public health. It is a Center of Excellence for which the country should proud of.

Mr. Richard Greene, USAID/Bangladesh Mission Director said that Bangladesh has been an important friend and partner of the United States having a longstanding relationship. The US Government, through USAID, is proud to have provided more than $5.8 billion in development assistance since Bangladesh’s independence.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shelina Afroza, Director General of the national Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) said that hundreds of higher educational institutes are now offering post graduate degrees in the country. But there is acute shortage of the ‘Center of Excellence’ in the higher education. “It is our pleasure that James P. Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University has achieved international recognition in providing quality education,” he said. He thanked USAID for providing supports to increase access and improve quality of public health education in Bangladesh.

USAID currently dedicates about $180 million every year to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh; promote democratic institutions and practices; expand economic opportunity; improve health and education services; increase food security and support Bangladeshi efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.